I am not seeking a new job, but if I were, I might be asked to show that I am creative. More and more companies want to hire creative individuals.  Could I show that I am creative?  

To answer that question, I have to define creativity. The usual definition requires something new that has value. The value could be aesthetic, as in the play Hamlet, or practical, as in the development of antibiotics. Paul Dirac developed a beautiful formula that describes electrons and had the quirky element of correctly predicting the existence of anti-matter, which was unknown at the time. Anti-matter has value in scanning human metabolic processes (via positron emission tomography).

I have written an original play, but it is no Hamlet. I have produced two children — that is procreative. 

I have co-authored many books and articles in scientific journals. They are somewhat new and have some value.

I created a web site of over 50 problem solving methods. Most of the methods I took from experts, but I created one set of methods myself: Using a geometry of problem solving. The two methods here involve doing the opposite of what one has been doing (for instance, an anxious person going toward what he fears rather than away) and moving the problem solving attempt to a different plane by doing something much different (for example, Einstein with his theory of relativity).  

Back when I used to coordinate the University of New England Psychology interdepartmental sports teams, I created a team song for us. The lyrics: “Psychowarriors.  Psychowarriors.” The melody was superb. I realized years later that I must have unknowingly borrowed the melody from another song writer. Oh well, George Harrison had a problem like that with “My Sweet Lord.” In a world of seven billion people, it is hard to create anything completely new.

I do some things that are unusual. I often brush my teeth and shave with my non-dominant hand. I do that in the hope of strengthening motor neurons that don’t do much. I may have an original idea there. Is my behavior valuable? Hard to tell. 

Is it possible for a person to become more creative? See for yourself. Start by tossing out all your assumptions and beliefs for a moment. You will feel lighter and looser. Then try to think of something new to do, for fun, for self-development, or for some practical benefit. If you come up with something that will not get you killed, jailed, or fired, put the idea to the test.  Do that often — try to be creative and test your new ideas. The value you find might be only for you — that’s OK. If you find something that would benefit others (for example, me), let me know. 

If you work at being creative and your efforts don’t seem to lead to much, read one of Shakespeare’s early plays, Titus Andronicus. You will see that the Immortal Bard started out as a hack. He kept at it though. Yes he did. 

[Titus Andronicus photo by Shakespeare Dallas]